By eight the next morning I'm at Emily's with Mom and Emily' mom, Jill. I dress quickly and put my make up on carefully to hide the bags under my eyes. I didn't sleep so well last night.

I allow Mom to do my hair whilst contemplating how best to block this from my mind. Pity it's too early for a bit of liquid courage.

I sit in the living room trying not to crease my dress when I get a text through from Joel.

Hey Lee hows it goin?

I take my phone outside and ring Joel. When he answers I can hear music and Joel and Lizzie bickering like a couple of kids. Joel bellows at her to shut up and then I hear someone who's not Joe or Lizzie laugh.

"Hello, hello, hello!" I holler down the phone.

"Hold on". I hear Joel leave the room. "Sorry about that, Lizzie's being annoying."

"I heard. Who else was there?"

"Er, Quil and some little girl. Claire? Anyway. How are you holding up? Killed anyone yet?"

"Not yet." I sigh and lower my voice. ""Joel, why am I here. I really, really, really, don't want to do this."

"It'll be ok." He reassures me. "Don't think about it! All you have to do is stand there and look pretty-so nothing at all really."

"Thanks."

"LEAH!"

"I have to go- Mom's calling me. I had hoped to be able to talk to you for longer than a minute, but obviously this is lets-torture-Leah day, which makes it impossible."

He laughs. "See you later."

"Bye." I say glumly and go in.

"Who were you talking to?" asks Jill. None of your business. Nosy.

"Joel."

"Oh, is that The Boyfriend?" Why does she do that? The Boyfriend. Capital T, capital B.

"No." I say, turning. Out of the corner of my eye I see Mom nod. "Hey, I saw that!"

"What?" Mom says, faking innocence.

"Ahem." We hear a cough and turn to see Emily in her wedding gown. My mouth drops open and my heart swells in jealousy. It's beautiful. She's beautiful. It's a simple white dress that suits her perfectly. She's smiling so broadly that even the mauled side of her face doesn't look like the ugly mess of scars it usually does.

Mom and Jill fuss over Emily. I hang back, trying to keep calm. I pinch the bridge of my nose, then finally move forward to compliment her.

"Leah, would you do my hair?" she asks. I admit I'm surprised, but I agree to do it for her. I must be growing up- I do Emily's hair in an elegant bun without pulling her hair out-or her head off- once.

By the time Emily's hair is done, it's time to go. A beautiful white Rolls Royce is waiting outside for us. Emily's Dad, Adam, is already in there. All the way to the church he coos over Emily. I feel sick.

We pull up. I think I'm going to vomit, I really do. Adam gets out first, followed by Emily. I could do a runner I suppose but I wouldn't get very far in this dress and heels.

I'm the first one through the doors. Everyone turns to look at me. I keep my eyes firmly on the ground. I can't bear to look up the aisle and see Sam waiting at the alter. Not waiting for me, but for the girl behind.

I get down there as quick I can decently go and sit down in my seat, next to, surprisingly, Joel. The music is still playing so I hiss "Why are you here?"

"I think I got put here as moral support-most likely as your boyfriend" he whispers. I let out half a groan. So Emily and Sam think I'm dating Joel as well. I shouldn't be surprised I suppose. Who on the goddam planet doesn't?

Oh, this is just hideous. In front of me Sam and Emily are pledging to spend the rest of their lives together. Behind me is practically the whole of La Push, all of whom are convinced I'm dating Joel. To my left is a snickering Joe, who appears to find the whole Leah-loves-Joel thing hilarious and seems determined to make more rumours by putting his hand on my leg. Oh and to my right I have Seth, who is half asleep on my shoulder. Could this get worse? This is horrific.

Joel nudges me and I'm jerked unpleasantly back into the room. Thank god, the ceremony is over and we can get the hell out of here.

I'm more relieved than I've ever been in my life when we get outside, although Joel wraps his arm around my waist and whispers in my ear "Where to now, lover?"

I swat his head and push him off. "You," I tell him sternly "Are a pain in the ass. Where's Lizzie?"

"Here." Lizzie appears, with a mischievous glint in her eye, whihc I don't like the look of.

"Come on, I want to introduce you to my brother." Seth is standing with Collin and Embry.

"Guys, this is Joel's sister, Lizzie. Lizzie this is my brother Seth and his friends Collin and Embry."

"Hi." Lizzie says, looking a little confused. I look at the boys and bite back a laugh. Collin goes pink and mumbles "hello", while Seth- ever the subtle one- gawps with his mouth wide open.

That's when I notice Embry. He's looking in her in way that is all too familiar to me. Oh my fucking god. He hasn't.

Joel pulls me away to ask me something and I answer in a daze. I can't even remember what he either of us just said. "Where's Lizzie? Let's find her." I say agitated.

"Why? To protect her from Seth and his friends?" he chortles. "Did you see their faces? Priceless."

I laugh too, although the sound of my laughter is slightly off. "I didn't realise that Lizzie had that effect on boys."

"Well, I can't help it. " she says mock defensively, appearing from nowhere and she sighs wistfully. "I'm just too damn beautiful."

I spot Embry. "Excuse me a sec; I just need to talk too…" I trail off then barge through the crowd to him. He's staring at Lizzie. I grab him by the wrist and pull him away, behind the back of the church.

"What the hell are you doing Embry?" I say furiously.

He shakes his head. "I can't control it Leah, you know I can't!" he pleads. I take him by his shirt collar and slam him against the wall.

"You stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid bastard!" I rant. "Why her? Why Lizzie?"

Why Embry? Why has someone else imprinted, and it's still not me? I don't believe it.

"What are you going to do?" I demand and shake him so that his head hits the wall. He winces in pain and I let go and step back, my fists clenched.

"What are you going to tell her? How?"

"Leah, what the hell are you doing?" It's Jake and he looks worried. I point at Embry and he flinches. "He," I yell, "he has…has…"

"Imprinted." whispers Embry.

"What?" yelps Jacob, "Another one?"

Red hot fury sweeps through me. Embry has just ruined everything. This stupid, stupid, stupid infuriating werewolf thing has seeped into my lovely new life and poisoned it.

I punch Embry in the face.

"Ow." He mumbles, clicking his jaw back into place. "That was my jaw."

"Ok, listen Leah, just go back." says Jacob tiredly. "We don't need to sort this out right now."

I growl and Embry and stalk off.